Please
note, neither program is for couples counseling, therapy,
or dating. No childcare is provided, and the sessions are
for participants only. We do not provide transportation
assistance, but participants may make carpool arrangements
between themselves.

The Coping and Rebuilding are
programs to help people manage the trauma of
separation, divorce, or widowhood. Volunteer
facilitators, each of whom has participated in the
programs, work with groups of participants to give support
and share experiences. Anyone may participate. Since
the first Washington DC-area session in 1989, thousands of
people have taken these programs to help them through the
ending of their relationships. The Arlington Diocese Office for Family Life sponsors both
programs. Participants of any religious affiliation are
very welcome.

Coping

The Coping program is best suited for those recently out
of their relationships. Coping is begins in October (on
the first Sunday after Columbus Day). There are six Coping
meetings, each for two hours on Sunday evenings.

Coping meetings are held
from 6PM - 8PM (we suggest you arrive by 5:45).
The next Coping program begins October 14,
2018.

Coping topics include:

Dealing with the
loneliness and stress

Being single again

Discovering yourself

Changes in
relationships, and

Growth

Rebuilding

The Rebuilding
Program is designed for adults that are separated,
divorced or widowed who are beyond the initial trauma and
wanting to move on. The program generally follows
the book "Rebuilding -
When Your Relationship Ends" by Bruce Fisher
(this book is given to participants at the first meetings,
and is paid for by their registration fee). Weekly
topics are intended to "form" stepping stones that help
one move ahead with rebuilding his/her life.

Rebuilding meetings are
held from 5:30PM - 8PM (we suggest you arrive by
5:15) on Sunday evenings for nine weeks
(excluding Easter). The next Rebuilding session begins
in February 25, 2018.

Rebuilding
topics include:

Rebuilding blocks

Grief

Fear

Guilt and rejection

Anger

Self worth, letting go

Openness, trust, and
risks

Relationships

Participants read
the relevant chapter prior to each meeting.
Facilitators give a presentation about their
experience with the topic, followed by smaller breakout
groups with facilitators and participants.

Format (both programs)

Coping and
Rebuilding sessions are guided by facilitators who,
themselves, are separated, divorced, or widowed.
Facilitators work with participants to help them
through the topics discussed in the programs.
Participants interact and work together. Everyone
helps each other.

Each meeting is approximately two hours long. During
the first hour of the meeting, a facilitator presents an
introduction to the topic and makes relevant
announcements. Facilitators talk about the topic of the
week, and one or more of them gives a personal talk about
their experience. During the second hour, everyone
moves to breakout groups, each with one or more
facilitators. Widows and widowers have their own breakout
group (with facilitators who are widowed); the other
breakout groups are for people going through separation
and/or divorce. In the breakout groups, everyone helps
each other by discussing feelings, thoughts, concerns, and
experiences related to the topic.